Law Enforcement

Assemblyman Mike Gatto's father killed during home invasion robbery in Silver Lake
The 78-year-old father of Assemblyman Mike Gatto was shot and killed in his Silver Lake home Wednesday night, police said this morning. The body of Joseph Gatto was found Wednesday around 8 p.m. at his home in the 2800 block of Bright Lane by a family member who was checking on him, police said. He had been shot in the abdomen and it appeared the house had been ransacked. "We are making a very concerted effort as we speak to gather evidence in that home and work towards solving the crime," said Los Angeles Police Department deputy chief Kirk Albanese.
Los Angeles Daily News

After assemblyman's dad killed, L.A. councilman got 'frantic' call
In the moments after Assemblyman Mike Gatto learned that his father had been shot to death in a family home in Silver Lake on Wednesday night, the Democrat put in frantic a call to a longtime friend. Los Angeles City Councilman Joe Buscaino, a former Los Angeles police officer, said Gatto called him after his father, 78-year-old Joseph Gatto, was found dead about 8:15 p.m. Buscaino, who described the Gatto clan as being like family, said he immediately notified City Council President Herb Wesson and Mayor Eric Garcetti, who lives in the same Silver Lake neighborhood where Joseph Gatto was killed.
Los Angeles Times

Man found guilty in 1979 strangling death of West L.A. woman
A Los Angeles man was found guilty Thursday of second-degree murder in the 1979 strangling death of a 33-year-old woman in West L.A. The conviction against Leonard Alex Dominguez, 57, in the death of Sandra Phillips included a special circumstance of great bodily injury. The Airport Courthouse jury found him not guilty of first-degree murder. Dominguez was charged with one count of murder with the special circumstances of murder during burglary and murder during rape. He faces a maximum sentence of life in prison without parole. The case remained unsolved for 28 years.
Los Angeles Times

San Fernando Valley sex assault suspect out on bail
A man wanted for a series of sexual assaults in the San Fernando Valley was arrested, but has since been released on bail. Police say Irvine Perez allegedly attacked his victims between June and October. Police say Perez, 30, would drive around North Hollywood looking for young women walking alone. He'd then run up behind them, often grabbing their buttocks. He targeted school-aged teenagers, according to police. Police say he allegedly chased a 17-year-old and tried to kidnap her. He also allegedly attacked another 15-year-old twice. In total there were at least seven victims.
ABC7

Ex-Miramonte teacher to plead no contest to molestation charges
Mark Berndt, the teacher charged with committing lewd acts against nearly two dozen children at Miramonte Elementary School, including spoon-feeding them semen, has agreed to plead no contest to all charges, sources said Thursday. He has agreed to a sentence of 25 years in prison, multiple sources told The Times. Berndt, 61, will enter the no contest plea Friday morning in Los Angeles County Superior Court and withdraw his not guilty plea in connection with the more than yearlong L.A. County sheriff's investigation into his conduct at the South Los Angeles school.
Los Angeles Times

2-year-old girl was in gunman's car during San Pedro shooting
A 2-year-old girl was sitting inside a gunman's car when he got out and shot a man filling his tank at a San Pedro service station, police said Thursday. The shooter then returned to the car, which sped away Wednesday with the girl's mother at the wheel, police said. The car was eventually found at 25th and Meyler streets, where the mother, Jacqueline Nineth Gomez, 32, and one man, Carlos Enrique Rivera, 27, were taken into custody. Another man was already gone and remained at large Thursday. The victim is recovering in the hospital.
Torrance Daily Breeze

LAPD 'Safety Summit' Saturday
The LAPD Pacific Division will host a "safety summit" on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Masonic Lodge in Playa Del Rey. Residents are invited to "learn how to protect your home and property and how to join your neighbors in protecting your neighborhood". Councilman Mike Bonin, LAPD Captain Brian Johnson and other senior officers will be in attendance. Exhibitors will also be on hand to demonstrate products that will help to protect you and your property.
Yo! Venice!

California shuts down misleading healthcare Web sites
California authorities have shuttered several Web sites they say misled consumers into thinking they were affiliated with the state's official insurance marketplace. State Attorney General Kamala Harris announced Thursday that 10 sites have been closed or redirected to the official exchange after receiving letters demanding they "cease and desist." No arrests or charges were announced. California law requires insurance companies and brokers to secure an agreement with Covered California, the state exchange, before offering services on behalf of the exchange.
Associated Press

Guns

NRA to sue SF next week, Sunnyvale a week after
As promised, the National Rifle Association soon will sue San Francisco and Sunnyvale over their recently approved gun-control ordinances. "Our office, in representation of the National Rifle Association, will first be filing suit with the city of San Francisco on Monday or Tuesday of next week and then file with the city of Sunnyvale on or about the following Tuesday 11/26," Mark Selmi, spokesman for NRA West Coast counsel Chuck Michel, said in an email sent late Thursday afternoon. "The National Shooting Sports Foundation may also independently file with both cities."
Contra Costa Times

City Government

Labor, business groups oppose L.A. city health department measure
Labor, business groups and medical organizations have banded together in opposition to a measure by a prominent AIDS healthcare group that would force the city of Los Angeles to cut ties with the county's health department and start up a health agency of its own. AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a major provider of HIV medical services to the county which has nevertheless been engaged in a series of pitched political battles with county officials, qualified the initiative for June's ballot.
Los Angeles Times